COVID-19: concern about interrupting social isolation of healthcare workers and professionals. What should be done with the results of the available COVID-19 diagnostic tests?

R. Boff da Costa, S. de Castro Cardoso Toniasso, L. Goldani, D. Joveleviths

Gastroenterology and Hepatology Science, School of Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul State – UFRGS, Porto Alegre, Brazil. stoniasso@hcpa.edu.br

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• Infectious Diseases

Management of SARS-CoV-2 requires safe decision-making to minimize contamination. Healthcare workers and professionals in confined areas are affected by the risk of the activity and the environment. Isolation of contaminated workers and healthcare professionals requires clinical and diagnostic criteria. On the other hand, interrupting the isolation of healthcare employees and professionals is critical because diagnostic tests do not support clinical decisions. In addition to defining the best test in view of its accuracy, it is necessary to consider aspects such as the stage of the disease or cure, the viral load and the individual’s own immunity. Uncertainty about natural and herd immunity to the disease leads to the development of appropriate antivirals, diagnostic tests and vaccines.

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